2020 Nissan Altima
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 181
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 2
- Top problem
- Electrical system
Campaigns on file for 2020
Opened by NHTSA
25% of complaints
Complaints per year
2020: 181 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1993 | 125 |
| 1994 | 113 |
| 1995 | 180 |
| 1996 | 92 |
| 1997 | 108 |
| 1998 | 123 |
| 1999 | 87 |
| 2000 | 160 |
| 2001 | 159 |
| 2002 | 1,047 |
| 2003 | 883 |
| 2004 | 276 |
| 2005 | 1,091 |
| 2006 | 824 |
| 2007 | 471 |
| 2008 | 1,030 |
| 2009 | 1,547 |
| 2010 | 381 |
| 2011 | 241 |
| 2012 | 426 |
| 2013 | 2,310 |
| 2014 | 1,114 |
| 2015 | 955 |
| 2016 | 555 |
| 2017 | 392 |
| 2018 | 226 |
| 2019 | 233 |
| 2020 | 181 |
| 2021 | 70 |
| 2022 | 31 |
| 2023 | 30 |
| 2024 | 41 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Electrical system
25% · 46 reportsMost commonly citing speedometer/odometer and key/sender.
Show complaint excerpts
Vehicle caught on fire while inside home @ 4:00am cst. Fire department and police department were at the scene as well. Fire department was forced to pry open the trunk to stop fire from spreading.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-12
Also filed under Engine and fuel/propulsion system
Multiple door lock actuators have failed, potentially trapping occupants in the vehicle.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-10-17
I currently own a 2020 Nissan Altima with 49,186 miles and I am reporting a recurring power door lock failure. This vehicle was inspected at the Nissan of Cumming location this morning to confirm the issue.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-30
Engine
20% · 37 reportsShow complaint excerpts
SUBJECT: Improper Recall Remedy Denial â NHTSA Recall #25V437000 (Nissan R25A8/R25A9) Vehicle: 2020 Nissan Altima 2.0L VC-Turbo Mileage at Failure: 147,540 Incident Description: The vehicle experienced a sudden catastrophic engine failure...
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-10-19
When I am driving my car randomly states check engine and makes a beeping noise and then the engine starts to make some type of combustion noise and then slows down and then turns off.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-26
Forward collision avoidance
19% · 35 reportsMost commonly citing warnings and automatic emergency braking.
Show complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the auto-braking system unexpectedly activated, and there was a grinding sound coming from the brakes; however, the vehicle failed to stop as needed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-14
Also filed under Service brakes and lane departure
Steering
11% · 20 reportsMost commonly citing tie rod assembly.
Service brakes
10% · 18 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2020 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that upon approaching a stop light, he attempted to stop the vehicle but the brake pedal failed without warning.
NHTSA ODI report, 2020-07-21
Tl* the contact owns a 2020 Nissan Altima. Contact stated shortly after they purchased their vehicle they noticed the hood of their vehicle would not align properly.
NHTSA ODI report, 2020-04-27
Also filed under Latches/locks/linkages
Safety timeline
6 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2020-11-04Visibility20V570000 Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima, Maxima and Leaf vehicles. The rear window glass may not remain properly secured to the vehicle.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the back window glass, free of charge. The recall began November 4, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC752.
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2020-12-10Tires20V685000 Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima S grade vehicles equipped with Continental ProContact TX tires, size 215/60 R16 H, with TIN date code 3320 and Mold ID S-419149. The tires may have been over cured.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle's tires to see if they are affected, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-8677669.
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2021-03-31Steering21V138000 Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Nissan Altima vehicles. The tie rod ball joint fastener was not tightened properly, which could result in the tie rod ball joint detaching from the steering knuckle.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the left and right-side tie rod ball joint fasteners, or install new fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The began March 31, 2021.
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2021-05-11Tires21V169000 Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Altima and 2018-2021 Titan vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
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2022-12-16Audit queryOpen Hertz/Vehicles Rented with Open Recalls
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2023-10-19Back over prevention23V628000 Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge.
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2023-12-13Preliminary evaluationClosed 2025-07-18 Complete loss of motive power due to engine failure
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2026-01-26Engine and engine cooling25V437000 Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Rogue, 2019-2020 Altima, 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50, and 2022 Infiniti QX55 vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5L or 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261 or Infiniti's customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
Buy-smart checklist
2020 Nissan Altima — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Electrical system: 46 reports on file for this year.
- Engine: 37 reports on file for this year.
- Forward collision avoidance: 35 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 20V570000 · Visibility
- Recall 20V685000 · Tires
- Recall 21V138000 · Steering
- Recall 21V169000 · Tires
- Recall 23V628000 · Back over prevention
- Recall 25V437000 · Engine and engine cooling
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2020 Nissan Altima reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2020 Nissan Altima is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Nissan Altima?
- The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2020 Nissan Altima have?
- 6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.